ALBANY - The Siena men's basketball team is young and doesn't have much depth.

The one thing the Saints could ill-afford was a major injury.

Just four minutes into the first half of the game against St. Bonaventure on Tuesday, Troy High graduate Javion Ogunyemi went down on an attempted alley-oop from Evan Hymes. Ogunyemi went up for a layup, catching a pass from Hymes, when he was landed on by Bonnies big man Youssou Ndoye.

Ogunyemi couldn't put any weight on his right leg, as he was helped from the court and it didn't look good.

Ogunyemi had his junior season at Troy High ended, when he injured his left ankle, in a postseason game.

(Update: Ogunyemi suffered a right ankle injury and will not return)

Today's story is about Siena freshman Javion Ogunyemi, who is a Troy High grad.

Here is a link to the story.

J.S. Carras/The Record

J.S. Carras/The Record

The Siena men's basketball team held its media day event on Friday afternoon.

One of the former great Saints was at the ARC, in Kenny Hasbrouck (right with coach Jimmy Patsos), who has his No. 41 hanging from the rafters downtown.

For my story in the paper, I talked to Troy native Javion Ogunyemi, who lost his mother to cancer, in August.

The Saints have an intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday and will scrimmage at Army, on Oct. 26, before an exhibition against New Jersey City University, on Nov. 2.  

#SienaSaints Basketball Media Day. #MAACHoops pic.twitter.com/L8zeY0koU6
— Siena Saints (@SienaSaints) October 18, 2013

Siena sophomore Ryan Oliver saw his freshman year end abrubtly, when it was announced in January that he would have surgery on his left knee.

Jeff Couch/The Record

Oliver is back this season, ready to contribute and pick up where he left off.

“I'm trying to be consistent and show (the coaches) what I’m capable of doing," said Oliver on Friday.

Oliver started four games last season and averaged 2.2 points per game, but just as he was figuring out the college game, he had the setback with his knee. 

“It was tough to watch from the sidelines," he said. "But it was also a good thing — it was a learning lesson.”

Oliver said he's "good to go" and he certainly figures to contribute, once the season begins next month because he's a good shooter and his frame (6-3 — 195) makes him a difficult cover

“It’s always good to put on a jersey and get out there," he said.

Siena recruit Javion Ogunyemi talks about his team's first round sectional victory on Tuesday evening. Troy High beat Saratoga 77-64, and will play Bethlehem on Saturday, at 3 p.m., in the quarterfinals. Ogunyemi finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks and was a little under the weather, with flu-like symptoms.

We are off and running for the college basketball season.

Below are links from stories that appeared in Saturday's paper. 

Free-throw shooting dooms Siena

Siena's first-year coach Ali Jaques wins debut

Troy High's Javion Ogunyemi says the winner is...Siena

UAlbany makes clutch plays down the stretch to win opener

Saint Rose coach Brian Beaury vows Knights will be better

J.S. Carras/The Record

TROY - On the opening day of college hoops season, the Siena men's basketball team already feels like winners.

Troy High standout Javion Ogunyemi has committed to play for the Saints and coach Mitch Buonaguro.

Ogunyemi chose Siena over James Madison, which is coached by former Siena player Matt Brady.

The 6-foot-8 Ogunyemi ended last year in the postseason, suffereing a gruesome ankle injury that cut his season short, as the Flying Horses still made it all the way to the Class AA championship game.
Ogunyemi averaged more than 12 points per game last season for Troy High.